Pennsylvania Birds

Just a couple spotted on the mountain north of Williamsport, PA:  a yellow throated vireo and what appears to be a fox sparrow.

Birds in DC

Visited DC and spotted some pretty typical birds for an urban area.  The house sparrows, of course, are a DC institution as they are everywhere, but what fun photographing this flock right across the street from the White House in Lafayette Park.  Got some great shots since they are accustomed to people and will come right up to you.

These mallards and this cormorant were spotted in the Constitution Garden pond on the way to the Vietnam Memorial.

Have you ever seen a black squirrel?  I never had until I saw this one in Lafayette Park!  What a beautiful silky coat. Not afraid of people either.

Last but not least, a variation of a rock dove I haven't seen before. Near the Washington Monument.

Long Hot Summer

Not much new to see this summer.  We had a whole month of near 100 degree weather and the birdies were laying low like the rest of us.  Here is a nice shot of Pileated Woodpeckers through my kitchen window.  Of course, we got the typical birds we have throughout the year: chickadees, tufted titmouse, white breasted nuthatch, some cardinals.  This fellow visited the yard in May.  I think he's a pine warbler.

Duke Forest continued

Tried out the Kortian Division  of Duke Forest this week, but drizzley rain kept me from spotting any new birds.  All I saw were chipping sparrows and chickadees.  They were definitely out there, though.  The forest was alive with the sound of birds!  Will try again next week if the weather is better.  I did get a picture of a chipmunk!

Nature this week

Carolina Wren

Carolina Chickadee

 House finches

Eastern Phoebe

Red Winged Blackbird

Painted Lady

Red Spotted Purple

Red Admiral

Black Vulture

Tiger Swallowtail

Here are the other birds and butterflies spotted this week.  There's a lot of nature out there!

Bird count today

Spotted three wild turkeys in a field on the way to Louisburg Walmart.  I heard that today is the last day of hunting season for them.  There is a very loving couple of cardinals at my feeder lately.  Saw and heard the wrens out there making their racket.  Doves, of course, are everywhere.  I refilled my feeders with Safflower seed.  The squirrels don't care for it, but they will empty out a feeder just because they can.  They have learned my squirrel proof feeder--they hang by their toes so the shield doesn't come down over the seed.  Little boogers.  Haven't seen many squirrels lately.  They must be having their babies right now.  I'm sure they will be back in droves.  Speaking of coming back, there is still no sign of the hummers.  I am perplexed by them every year.  They come to the feeders pretty early then by late spring, they disappear.  I always think my nectar has gone rancid or they don't like the feeders for some reason.  I read that they are just too busy laying, hatching, and taking care of babies.  They just don't have time to come to the feeders, but they will be back!

Duke Forest Sightings

Here is the first of my birding excursions to be included in this blog!  I went to the Shepherd's Trail at Duke Forest today on the way home from band practice in Durham.  There were a lot of birds there, but none really close enough for photos.  I saw the usual Cardinals, Chickadees, and Tufted Titmouse.  There were a lot of vultures and I saw one hawk very high up.  I think I spotted a Common Yellowthroat!  Nothing but a very blurry photo of a yellow and black smudge to document it, though!  I did get this photo of an Eastern Towhee in a tree.  It won't replace the one I took at the Raleigh Arboretum last fall.  They are both blurry, but that's the best I could do.  Wish my friend Genia had been with me.  She is the bird call expert.  She would have heard plenty of "Sweet. Drink your tea," and "Chuck, whichity whichity which," and others that I forget.  Next week I'm going to try the Korstian Division which is right across the street from the guitar player's subdivision.  Eno River State Park is also very close.  Usually, I deem a birding excursion a success if I get a decent picture of one bird or butterfly I have never seen before.  That didn't happen but, I'm pretty sure about the Yellowthroat, so I'll cut myself a break today.  It will just have to be the "one that got away."